In 2002, a group of members from the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce [HJCC] came up with the idea of having a food and wine dinner event targeted at members and member guests. It was promoted as the “1st Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction.”  Through member contacts and twenty volunteers, the Bishop Museum was selected for the venue together with five food vendors and three liquor distributors.

A food and wine event was a relatively new concept back then and to their surprise an estimated 450 people attended the event under humid and muggy conditions in this outdoor setting.

In its second year, the event was named “Chopsticks & Wine” reflecting HJCC’s heritage combined with wine.  The event continued to grow in popularity as people’s interest in wines together with good food started to become popular.

After a few years of the pandemic and a few Chopsticks & Wine twists, our in-person event is BACK! We are headed back to the Hawaii Convention Center – better than ever.